“True, father!”

“By the way, you were to see your lawyers on the subject of your niece?”

“I have seen them, father.  However uncertain may be the chance of which I spoke, it is worth trying.  I shall know to-day, I hope, if it is legally possible.”

“Perhaps then,—­in the new condition of life to which she would be reduced, we might find means to effect her conversion,” said Rodin, with a strange and hideous smile; “until now, since she has been so fatally brought in contact with the Oriental, the happiness of these two pagans appears bright and changeless as the diamond.  Nothing bites into it, not even Faringhea’s tooth.  Let us hope that the Lord will wreak justice on their vain and guilty felicity!”

This conversation was here interrupted by Father d’Aigrigny, who entered the room with an air of triumph, and exclaimed, “Victory!”

“What do you say"’ asked the princess.

“He is gone—­last night,” said Father d’Aigrigny.

“Who?” said Rodin.

“Marshal Simon,” replied the abbe.

“At last!” said Rodin, unable to hide his joy.

“It was no doubt his interview with General d’Havrincourt which filled up the measure,” cried the princess, “for I know he had a long conversation with the general, who like so many others, believed the reports in circulation.  All means are good against the impious!” added the princess, by way of moral.

“Have you any details?” asked Rodin.

“I have just left Robert,” said Father d’Aigrigny.  “His age and description agree with the marshal’s, and the latter travels with his papers.  Only one thing has greatly surprised your emissary.”

“What is that?” said Rodin.

“Until now, he had always to contend with the hesitations of the marshal, and had moreover noticed his gloomy and desponding air.  Yesterday, on the contrary, he found him so bright with happiness, that he could not help asking him the cause of the alteration.”

“Well?” said Rodin and the princess together, both extremely surprised.

“The marshal answered:  ’I am indeed the happiest man in the world; for I am going joyfully to accomplish a sacred duty!”

The three actors in this scene looked at each other in silence.

“And what can have produced this sudden change in the mind of the marshal?” said the princess, with a pensive air.  “We rather reckon on sorrow and every kind of irritation to urge him to engage in this adventurous enterprise.”

“I cannot make it out,” said Rodin, reflecting; “but no matter—­he is gone.  We must not lose a moment, to commence operations on his daughters.  Has he taken that infernal soldier with him?”

“No,” said Father d’Aigrigny; “unfortunately, he has not done so.  Warned by the past, he will redouble his precautions; and a man, whom we might have used against him at a pinch, has just been taken with the contagion.”